Activities of Cristiana MUSCARDINI related to 2011/2113(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Trade and investment strategy for the southern Mediterranean following the Arab Spring revolutions (debate)
Amendments (14)
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas no specific Euro- Mediterranean financial institution exists, while the experience gained by the EBRD during the transition of Central and Eastern Europe in previous years should allow it to play a positive role in SMCs; noting with regret, however, that several EU Member States have not yet ratified the amendments to the EBRD Agreement which will help the EBRD to be fully operational in the Mediterranean region;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, thus far, the economies of SMCs have been run by undemocratic leaders to the benefit of the few, often overlooking the needs of the most vulnerable; whereas the fact that many dictators have now been deposed opens up new opportunities to open up the economies of the region and create a true market economy;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas chronic unemployment, especially of young people, and lack of trade diversification remain a serious concern; whereas long-term structural unemployment and informal labour, including child labour, remains high in most SMCs and has further deteriorated in those countries which have experienced severe social unrest during the Arab Spring; whereas the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that the region needs to create around 25 million new jobs over the next decade to maintain the current level of employment;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas adolescents (aged 10-19) represent 20 % of the population and unemployment rates for those aged between 15 and 24 are around 25- 30 % while the participation of women in the labour market remains very low; whereas unemployment is particularly high amongst university graduates, leading to a brain drain and a waste of human resources;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the EU is the biggest consumer market in the world, to which access should only be granted if partner countries are serious about engaging in the bilateral opening of markets, if the benefits of economic reforms are enjoyed by the whole population of the partner country, including the most vulnerable, and if the appropriate political, social and environmental commitments are given and fulfilled;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is concerned that the European External Action Service (EEAS) has not yet made public the details of the ‘more for more’ criteria that will determine, together with the commercial scoping exercise, whether a country is eligible for a DCFTA; asks the EEAS, therefore, to establish these criteria so that the process is transparent and so that partner countries know in advance where adjustments need to be made; insists that respect for democratic institutions and fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association, and respect for international labour laws, ILO conventions and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), must be central to this process and considers that it should be responsive to significant improvements or deteriorations in partner countries during the preparatory phase and the negotiations themselves; insists that these criteria should include an appropriate level of economic opening and an index of how all levels of society benefit from trade and foreign direct investment (FDI);
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that FTAs are not an end in themselves and that they should serve to benefit each country; Maintains that the trade provisions should be supported by strengthened human rights clauses with improved monitoring and implementing provisions, and an ambitious sustainable development chapter with a central role for civil society, including provisions on corporate social responsibility (CSR) which will strengthen the joint ownership of the process;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Asks the Commission to specifically support and promote Fair Trade and organic farming initiatives, in particular in support of small-holder farmers, producers and cooperatives, as a way to integrate sustainable agricultural practices and rural development, simultaneously developing the supply chain to ensure European consumers of the products' quality, traceability and social and environmental credentials;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Deplores the role of European companies in the exportation of arms and dual-use items to repressive regimes, and in complying with technological disruptions organised by the dictatorship regimes; calls on the Commission to produce guidelines for EU companies to act in a manner consistent with the EU's fundamental principles in such situations;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the recent involvement of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the Mediterranean region and the extra funds pledged by the EU and several individual EU Member States for the Bank's activities; urges the European Council and the European Parliament to speedily ratify the amendments to the EBRD Agreement which will help the EBRD to be fully operational in the Mediterranean region; considers that the total funds available for EBRD investment in the region should be increased and that SMEs should be major beneficiaries of these investments; encourages SMCs to demonstrate their commitment by applying the principles of democracy, pluralism and market economics so that they may have access to investment according to the Bank's Statute;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Encourages EU Member States to play a more ambitious role in the EU's strategy for the Southern Neighbourhood by providing major programmes of fellowships for SMC students of both genders and from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, particularly in the fields of economics, business, IT, communication and trade; calls on the Commission and the Vice-President/High Representative to immediately propose the establishment of the Euromed Erasmus and Da Vinci programmes; observes that other players in the region, such as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, have been more effective in providing this support to SMCs; believes that these exchanges can provide lasting connections with future business partners in SMCs;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Recalls the role played by artists, cultural actors and bloggers in allowing some Arab civil societies to liberate themselves from dictatorship and open up the path to democracy; calls on the EU to integrate in its trade policy cultural cooperation, including joint initiatives in the fields of arts, education, media, the Internet and other crucial sectors to promote human rights and democracy;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls for the imminent creation of EU Chambers of Commerce with partner countries to serve as a conduit for the promotion of joint trade activities and mutual exchanges between economic partners, including seminars and business fairs; regrets that there are no bilateral EU Chambers of Commerce in the region other than the EU-Israel Chamber of Commerce;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Highlights the need for closer coordination between the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) financing instruments, such as the Neighbourhood Investment Facility, and the different EU and international and regional financial institutions in the region, including the EIB, EBRD and World Bank, so that the maximum effectiveness and coherence are guaranteed; asks the Commission to take the lead in coordinating such efforts;